MD2030 starter motor

[WalshamUK]

I have a Beneteau Oceanis 361 with a Volvo Penta MD2030 engine. I need to take the starter motor off as there is an intermittent fault that seems to be within the starter/solenoid. Before I start to remove the starter, does anybody who has done this job before know if it is necessary to remove other bits (e.g. alternator and/or heat exchanger) before removing the starter from the engine?

All advice gratefully received.

Keith

 

[Tranona]

From memory (did it a few years ago) straight off. also from memory the intermittent faults on some models is in the black box on top of the starter which I think contains a relay which is prone to poor connections.

 

[duncan99210]

If the intermittent fault is the started simply refusing to play, then it probably is down to the relay in the black box, as Taranona says. Check that before you start removing the starter motor. That said, it’s a reasonably easy job provided access is ok. Shouldn’t need to remove anything.

 

[WalshamUK]

I replaced both relays in the black box with new ones. Nothing changed. I measured the voltage at the solenoid when the fault is present and when the engine starts OK. In both cases I measure about 11 volts arriving at the solenoid when the start button is pressed. Therefore the start relay on the black box would seem to be working OK, and voltage is arriving at the solenoid when the start button is pressed. The problem seems to be inside the solenoid/starter. My guess at the moment is worn brushes in the starter, but until I remove the starter and have a look that remains a guess.

Is removing the starter a dramatic struggle? Access to that side of the engine is not brilliant as there is a fixed bulkhead close by. The starter has probably been in situ for 17 years, so I guess that the 2 bolts that hold the starter in are firmly in place.

Many thanks to both Duncan99210 and Taranona for your help.

Keith

 

[Tranona]

I seem to recall it taking about 10 minutes - but on the Bavaria access is excellent through a removable panel in the aft cabin.

I had the starter overhauled by a local specialist for under £100.

 

[vyv_cox]

11 volts sounds very low. If you connect the starter terminal on the solenoid with the main battery terminal (sparks!) does it start? If so the problem is with the wiring. Well known on Yanmars where the cable from the starter switch has four in-line connectors. I bypassed them with a single cable, overcoming the problem.

 

[NorthUp]

I read it as 11 volts when cranking/ energised, which would be good. Can the OP clarify?

 

[nortada]

From memory (did it a few years ago) straight off. also from memory the intermittent faults on some models is in the black box on top of the starter which I think contains a relay which is prone to poor connections.

I seem to recall it taking about 10 minutes - but on the Bavaria access is excellent through a removable panel in the aft cabin.

I had the starter overhauled by a local specialist for under £100.

Agree all above.

I did this job on a 2040 on a Dufour 38, access great and the job was dead easy - not usual on a boat!

 

[WalshamUK]

I read it as 11 volts when cranking/ energised, which would be good. Can the OP clarify?

When the start button was pressed, I measured 11 volts at the solenoid when either the fault was present and the starter did not turn, or when the engine started as normal. This indicated to me that the voltage measured was normal. Have I made a mistake?

Keith

 

[NorthUp]

When the start button was pressed, I measured 11 volts at the solenoid when either the fault was present and the starter did not turn, or when the engine started as normal. This indicated to me that the voltage measured was normal. Have I made a mistake?

Keith

No mistake, this tends towards your own diagnosis of a faulty starter, possibly brushes.

 

[vyv_cox]

No mistake, this tends towards your own diagnosis of a faulty starter, possibly brushes.

Yes, I read the post as 11 volts available, so agree.

 

[WalshamUK]

Just to finish this thread off nicely, I have replaced the starter motor on my Volvo Penta 20030C engine, and it works perfectly. The job was not easy, mainly due to access problems (as always !!) and items that were difficult to remove. To help others in future, I have posted a detailed explanation of what I found necessary. Click on the following link to see what the job actually entailed. Some things were quite surprising...

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...Volvo-2030C-starter-motor&highlight=WalshamUK

Hopefully others will find these details useful.
Keith